Local Sports

St. Albert rinks skipped by Deb Santos, Glen Hansen and Teri Tralnberg qualified for the senior (50-plus) provincial championships during the Northern Alberta Curling Association playdowns last weekend at the Ottewell.

The St. Albert Merchants are playing their finest hockey at the right time with the playoffs only a slap shot away. The Money Men, winners of eight of their last 10 games, have two home contests remaining before the post-season begins Feb.

Jake Parent of the Paul Kane Blues will line up against the top U16 football players in the United States at the International Bowl on Friday in Arlington, Texas. Parent, 15, is one of seven offensive linemen on the 38-man Team Alberta U16 roster.

League play resumes next week for the St. Albert Skyhawks in metro Edmonton high school basketball. The lady Skyhawks (5-1) visit the Harry Ainlay Titans (2-4) Monday at 5 p.m. and Wednesday they host the O’Leary Spartans (0-6) at 6:30 p.m.

The St. Albert Gregg Distributors Sabres have three games left until the playoffs start Feb. 16 in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League. The Sabres (22-5-6) skate Thursday against the Leduc Oil Kings (9-16-4) at 7 p.m.

Today’s doubleheader between the Black Gold Rush and Calgary RATH in the National Ringette League starts at 11:30 a.m. at Mark Messier Arena. The rematch is 5:45 p.m. at Riviere Qui Barre Arena.

Hurry hard is the name of the game for 89-year-old curler Mel Younker. The oldest curler in St. Albert is a rock star twice a week in the 50-plus mixed and two-person stick leagues.

St. Albert skip Ferd Caron was popping champagne corks after Sunday’s A final in the Solo Liquor Stores Mixed Bonspiel. “It’s my first win in 27 tries. I’ve come close many times.

The Black Gold Rush is making strides toward a winning season in the National Ringette League. The Rush lineup of predominately St.

The last road game before the playoffs for the St. Albert Merchants is 8 p.m. Friday against the Leduc Riggers. The Merchants (25-7-1) are third in the west division and Leduc (9-24-2) is sixth in the east standings.